Automatically-operable top-frame



E. L. KUNZ. UTOMTICALLY OPERABLE TGP FRAME. APPucATloN FILED Au ;.19, 1916,. 1,334,381

r f. 3, B O/ \y INVENTo wtf/ Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

(412/. by his Harney E. L. KUNZ.

AUTUMATICALLY OPERABLE TOP FRAME.

rAPPLICATIQN HLED AUG. I9. 1916.

' Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

6 SHEETSSHEET 3.

INVENTOR MM/of E. L. KUNZ. AUTOMATlCALLY OFEHABLE TQP FRAME.

y' APPLICIATI'ON FILED AUG. 19, 191e.

e SHEETS-s115514.

INVENTOH Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

vE. L. KUNZ. AUTOMATICALLY OPERABLE TOP FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. I9. 1916.

Patent-ed Mar. 23, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTOR 66am( of Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6- INVENTOR @2m/M- n L hlb aH-orne E. L. KUNZ.

AUTOMATICALLY OPERABLE TOP FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED Aus. 19. 1915.

Fio. 13 isa Side elevation of mechanisn similar to that shown in Fig. 1v, but partially folded (or extended).

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of mechanism similar to that shown in Fig. 1, but in the full folded position.

In Fig. 1, 1 isvthe body of the vehicle,

having 'a wind shield 2. Rotatably mounted upon a bearing, fixed in the body l, is the gear casing 3, Within which is journaled the stub shaft 4, having a square recess 5, for the reception of a crank. Projecting above the gear casing 8, and integral therewith, is

c the arm 6, having straight track portions, 7

and 8. Axially positioned within the arm 6, is journaled a threaded shaft 9, engaged by nut 10. This nut 10, has projecting ears 11 and 12, to which are pivoted, respectively, the links 13 and 14, on the respective pins 15 and 16. Journaled upon the pins 15 and 16, are rollers 17 and 18, positioned to engage the respective track portions 7 and 8, to carry directly thereon any stress coming from the links. 13 and 14, and thus relieve the shaft 9 of said stress. The arm 6, terminates in a fiat head 19, to the upper portion of Vwhich are pivoted link 20, on the pin 21, and link 22 on the pin 23. Also pivoted tothe head 19,7is a slotted link 24, having the angular slot 25, through the outer end of which the pin 26 passes, in sliding engagement therewith. 27 is a bent link pivoted by the pin 28, to the link 22, and also pivoted by the pin 29, to the link 14. rlhe short arm 30, of the-link 27, has fixed thereto, an ear 31, upon which is pivoted a pawl 32, having a form and position adapted for engagement with the elbow 83, of the link 24, during the angular movement of the links.

Pivoted by the pin 34, to the outer end of link 14, is a bent link 35, the shape of which is such as to conform to that of links 22 and 27, when the links are in folded position. The link 36 is. pivoted by the pin 37, to the link 27; and the link 38 is pivoted by the pin 39, to the link 36. The link 40, is pivoted by the pin 41, to the link 85. Links 35 and 36 are pivoted by ein 351. Links 14, 36 and 40, are preferably made of two parallel members, spaced for balancing the construction and for Vthe free angular movement of the other links, pivoted thereto.

' Returning new to the head '19 of the arm 6; the link 13, in the normal open position of the top frame, is preferably horizontal, Which necessitates pivoting` the links 13 20 at varying distances, respectively, rfr m the pins 15 and 21, and the angular movement of these links during the operation of the top frame necessitates the positioning of the pin 42, within a slot 43, in the link 13. To the outer end of the link 13, on the pin 44, is pivoted the cross yoke 45, havin@ a coil spring 46, adapted to throw yoke to have 'ts plane in line with the axis of the link 13, when the band portions 47 and 48 become limp, in the movement of the top frame. This construction of cross yoke 45, with its attachment to the link 12), is made for the purpose of having these members automatically adjustable to the requirenients of the respective folding positions of the links. A. similar set of swinging arm and links, with gear casing, ete., to that just described, is mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle, and the two sets are connected in the i'following way: rhe cross yoke, 45, is pivoted to a link similar to link 13. rllhe swinging arm 6, and its duplicate, are fixed to a cross yoke 419, by screws 50 and 51. The link 14 and its duplicate, are pivotally connected to cross yoke 52, by the pins 53. Link 86 and its duplicate are connected to the cross voke 54, by the pins 55. lThe outer ends of the links 40, are connected by the cross piece 56, to which is attached a securing device 57, adapted te `secure the outer end of the top frame to the wind shield The cross yokes, 45, 49, 52, and 54, and the cross piece 56, are connected by parallel bands 58. which are fixed at the point 59, to the rear of the body l. A hanger 60, is provided as an outer support for the links in their folded position.

Referring to Fig. 2. 1 the automobile body and lines 61 and 62 represent the upholst ry. and 64 are 1' r boxes, contain-- ing siniilar sets of gear inc Vhanisun one beright and the other left in their conuction and action. 4 and 41, are recessed ub sl for receiving the crank. 3 and are. gear casing, from which project the pivoted arms 6 and 61. 8 and 81, und the forward track portion of the urine 6 and 61. respectively. (l is the left-hand threaded shaft. 91 is the right-hand threzuled shaft. rillireaded A. shaft 9, is the nut l0, havin;y` the ear 12. rfhreaded with the shaft 91 is the nut 161, haviinr the ear 121. The upper The upper end of the arin 6, has a head 19.

end of the arm 61, has a head 191. The arm 6, has a curved tubular extension 65, .in vhich is rotatably mounted a short piece el' i 66. lllithinatulnilarcurved extension 651, the :irre 61, is rohitably mounted a flexible shaft portion, similar to 66. lThe flexible shaft 66, is connected at the upper end of the threaded shaft 9, and the other end f the sl ft 66, is connected i -i a horizoi sha1., 67. which is also connected with S .111 st ne flexible shaft within the curved portion 651, which in turn is connected to the shaft 91, so that When either shaft 9 or 91 is rotated, the other shaft is turned.

referring to Fig. 3, on arm (5, is shown track portions 7 and 8, engaged by rollers 17 and 18 respectively, which are ournaled apen pins l and 1G respectively, to which are connected the links 13 and 1-il. To the head 19, is screwed cross yoke 49, by the screws Ii() and 5l. The slotted link is shown connected with the link 22 by a coinprcssion spring Qi, Which tends to keep the ont-er slotted end of the link 211, normally eligaged with the pin 26, holding link in trnssed engagement with the head 19, un.- til the elbow 33, of link 2st, forced npn'ard, so that the pin f2.6, engages the long part of the slot 25, causing the unlocking of the link E22, frein its trussed position, with respect to the head 19, and permitting the angular increment of the link 22, on its pivot pin 23.

ln Fi @the spacing of the parallel inembers of each of the links 13 and 14k is shown, as Well the central positioning of thc ref spectire links 20, 22, and 9.4L. Rollers 17 and 1S are shown engaging the respective tracks l and S.

Referring to Fig. The arin (3 is shown lined to the gear casing 3. ilithin the arm n is onrnaled shaft 9, to which is fixed the b n l gear G8. The recessed stub shaft fi, i d with the bevel gear (i9, which meshes with the gear G8. Fixed to the gear G9 is a shaft ia, ournal ed in the tubular portion il, of the gear easing 3. The outer surface Iof the tubular portion 3, is adapted for journaling with a suitable bearing in the body 1, of the automobile. lllngagingl the recess Within the stub shaft fi, is a crank Lil.

Referring to Fig. G. the gear casing 3, is shown attached to the remaining part of the gear casing by screws 79 and 71. i

Referring to Fig. The central. position of threaded shaft 9, with respect to the arm (3 is shown. VEhe track portions 7 and S are also shown.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the gear box 63 is shonf'n fastened to the wall 1, of the au-` toinobile body. Also fastened to the said wall plate 7 2, attached by bolts, 7 3 and 7a. This plate 7 is an extension of a bearing 753, fixed in the wall of the said body 1, :for the purpose of journaling the tubular portion SCL, of the casing The shaft el. entends Within the gear box G3, and has fixed thereto, the gear 7 6. To a screw shaft, 77a, which is fixed in the plate 79, is journaled the gear 77, which meshes with the gear 76. Fixed to the gear 77 is smaller gear 7S. The screw shaft 79, which is fixed in the plate 72, has jonrnaled thereon a large gear 80, which meshes with the gear 7 8. Fixed to the gear 80 and concentric therewith, is a gral therewith.

The outer `part 3 of small gear 81, lwhich meshes with the circular rack S2. The circular rack 82 is inadc part of the extension 3ft, of the gear casing 3, so as to rotate with the gear casing 3, and the arin 6.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the tubular extension 3", of the gear casing 3, is shown journaled in the journal box 75, which is attached to the Wall of the vehicle body l. The gearing construction Within the casing Si similar to that shown in Fig. 9. Fixed upon the wall of the vehicle body 1, a circular rack 83. The plate Si is integral with the inner end of the tnbnlar portion 3f* of the gear casing 3, and revolves with it on the journal .box ele. Fixed to the shaft 4: is the gear 85. A plate 8G, is provided and spaced from the plate Si, and connected therewith by the screws 87, SS, and S9, upon which are journaled the following gears: On screw S7 are 'journaled the two gears 90 and 91, the gear rnf-ishing with the gear S5; and the gears 90 and 91, being `fixed together. .lour- .naled upon the screw S8, are the gears and 93, which are fixed together, the gear 92 meshing with lthe gear 91. Journaled upon the screw 89 are the gears and 95, which are lined together, the gear 9i meshing with the gear-93, and the gear 95 meshing with the stationary rack 83.

Referring to Fig. 11, the relative align laiI positions of the arni il and 'the plates Si and 8G ir'itli the rack 83 are shrnvn.

Referring to Fig. 123, one end of the eros.` yoke i5 is shown, haring a bracket i5 inte- The pin il is shown passing through the bracket elo", and the en tension i5, of the cross yoke 45, and 'journals the link 11:) with the yoke ln between the bracket i511 and the extension 1115, is the sjgiring 46, having1 one leg 13, thereof, bearing upon the link 13, and another leg 45", thereof, bearing upon the bracket 45s. Projecting freni the cross yoke i5, is the lug and, which acts as a stop for the enter cud. of

the link 13, to limit its position to the plano of the cross yoke -il-, to be normally in line with the axis of the link 13.

ln operation, referring to Figs. 1 and lil, in Fig. 1, the top` franie is in extended position, we will say, about to be folded. The top frame is released at the securing device 57, from the `Wind shield FZ. The crank si, shown in Fig 5 and G, is inserted in the re cess 5 of the stirb shaft 4i, and as it is turned, both the shafts it and 9 are rotated, through the intern'iesliing of the Oears GS and (i9.

Referring to 8 and 9, the resultant action of the turning of the shaft i 'to cause the rotation ofthe gear casing 3. The

gear 76 rotates the gear 77, and the gear 78 rotates the gear S0, the gears 77 and 78 being fixed together'. Gears 80 and S1,being fixed together, the gear 80 rotates, and haw ing a` permanent axis of rota-tion with re- -rotate upward about its pivot point spect to the body 1, it causes the circular rack 82 to turn; which being' fixed with the tubular extension 3a, of the gear casing 3, causes an angular movement of the arm 5 attached thereto. By the meshing of the gear 68 with the gear 69, thev rotation of the crank 1 is eonnnnnicated with the shaft 9, which turning within the nut l0, causes same (if rotated in the right direction) to travel downward, along the arm 6, carrying with it the links 13 and 14 (see Figs. 1 and 13) and continuing downward until some such position, of the nut 10, is reached, as is shown in Fig. 13; during which movement the link 27, is turned about the pin 2S, as a fixed axis, and the outwardly extending links connected therewith, are caused to move through a comparatively low path. If new we continue to rot-ate the crank 4b, in the same direction, causing further downward movement of the nut 10, the pawl 232, having come in contact with the elbow 33, of the slotted link 24, will cause the link Q4 to gib, until the pin 26 is moved downward to engage the long port-ion of the slot 25, and the further movement'of the nut 10, brings into an angular action, the previously russed link 22, permitting the folding together of the parts, as is shown in Fig. 14, until they rest upon the hook 60. During the travel of the nnt10, along the arm 6, the band portions 47 and 4S have become limp, and the spring 46, shown in Fig. 12, becomes free to throw the cross yoke 45 into a position having its plane in line with the axis of the link 13, and remains there during the further movement of' the nut 10, drawing the links int-o the folded position of the frame shown in Fig. 14.

An alternate form ofl mechanism used for angularly positioning arm 6, is shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and operates in the following way: The plates 84 and 86, in which are positioned the screws 87, 88, and 89, acting as shafts'for the gears, are fixed upon an extension 3a, of' the gear casing 3, and rotate therewith. The shaft 4 being fixed to the gear 85, which meshes with the gear 90, rotates the same, as well as the gear 91, fixed thereto. The gear 91, meshing with the gear 92, rotates the same, as well as the gear 923, fixed thereto. Gear 93 rotates the gear 94, as well as Vthe. gear 95, fixed thereto. The gear 95 being in mesh with the fixed circular rack 83, forming a track upon which the gear 95 rolls, carries with it the plates and 86, which rotate about the axis of the shaft 4a, which rotation is communicated to the gear casing 3, fixed thereto, causing an angular movement of the arm 6. I preferably provide a complemental set of' gear mechanism for the opposite arm 61, of the top frame.

I do notwish to be confined to the one embodiment of my invention illustrate l and above described, as changes may he made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of' my invention, hence l claim:

l. In a top frame adapted for attachment to the body of a. conveyance, aswinging arm journaled on the side of said body, means attached to the swinging arm adapted to govern its angular position with respect to the said body; a set of' trnssed links pivoted together, connected by a holding link pivoted to the outer end of sait. swinging arm; another of said links being pivoted to a lengitudinally moving device upon said :nvinging arm, adapted to change the :'.ngnla r `position of said links with respect to ene another, te draw said links to said arin. or to exteinl said links normally the lcto; a lotted link pivot/sd on said arm near said holding link. and in sliding engagement with a pin on said holding link; a spring adapted to hold sai holding link and said slotted link inn-nmlly in trussed engagement; a tripping link of said set of links pivoted to the outer end oll said holding link; a pawl pivoted upon .seid tri ping link, and adapted by its position te engage said slotted link to release the saine from trussed engagement with said holding link to permit the angular movement of :raid holding link with respect to said swinging arm and with respect to said engaged sletled link; and means for operating said top fame.

2. In a top frame, adapted for attachment to the body of a conveyance and con]- prising a. swinging arm join'naled on the side of said body, means attached to said arm adapted to govern its angular position with respect to said body, sliding means adapted for longitudinal rcciprocation on -said arm, and a set ot trnssed links pivoted together and pivoted to said arm and said sliding means, said links being opened and closed by the reciprocldiion ot said sliding means; a device adapted to change the angular travel of said links, to canse the same to travel in a low path. said device coinprisiug a holding link pivoted to said arm and to said set of trnssed links, a sliding link pivoted to said arm and in slidingl engagement with said holding link, said slid ingl and said holding links being rlflningf pressed for holding said links in a trnssed position, and means upon said set of links` adapted to release the trnssed relation of.'

said holding and said sl Y 5r links. to pernn of a sliding engagement or the saine.

3. In a top iframe adapted for attnclnnenf` to the body of a vehicle, a swinging arm pivoted on said body, means engaging said arm -for longitudinal movement thereon, a device for operatinor said means, an extensible cover-holding member in pivotal engagement with said means and said arm, and an element engaging said member and said arm lee lill

adapted to transfer any pressure 'from said member direct to said arm, to relieve said means of pressure coming from said member.

Llln a top Ytrame for journaled attachment with the body oi a vehicle, a swinging arm journaled for oscillation on said body, reciprocating means engagino' said arm, a device :lor operatingl said reciprocating means, an extensible cover-holding member in operative engagement with said reciprocating means and said arm, holding means connected with said arm adapted to govern and hold its angular position with respect to said body, said holdingI means including a seemental rack and a train oft gears, one ol said gears n'ieshing` directly With said rack, another oi said gears having its axis coincident with the anis yof oscillation of said man and adapted to revolve faster than the gear meshing directly With said rack, transmission mechanism connecting said device with the said train. of gears and means for operating said trame.

5. ln a tcp iframe adapted for journaled attachment to the body ot the vehicle to support a cover to said vehicle, a swinging arm journaled for oscillation on said body, supporting means operable on said arm 'for sujrpiporting said cover, means connected with said swinging arm adapted to govern and hold its angular position. with respect to said body, said means including a segmental rack iixed upon. said body and positioned concentrically with respect to the point of oscillation of said swinging arm, a gear 'trame lixed on said arm and extending toward said rack, a train'of gears journaled in said gear frame, one of said gears meshing with said rack, another oi said gears lniving an axis common with the axis oit' oscillation of said arm, said train of gears being arranged to have the gear meshing with the rack revolve slower than the gear having its axis common with the axis of loscillation ci said arm, and means for opmating said gears.

(i. ln a top frame attached to a vehicle body, the combination with a pair oit arms pivoted on said body, oi? a yoke rigidly connecting said arms, a long threaded shaft iournaled longitudinally with cach arm, power-transmission n'ieans connectingr said shafts, a nut threaded with each shaft and slidingly engaging the arm on which the shaft is journalech a collapsible frame pivoted to each nut and to that arm with which said nut directly operates, a pressure relievingr device connected with each nut contacting said arm with which said nut operates adapted to relieve said shaft of stress coming 'from said frame, an element for turneach of said shafts, a device'adapted to change the angular position of each arm vvith respect to said body, means connected With each arm operatively connecting the element and the device of each arm with which said device operates, whereby each oi" said shafts are rotated during the angular movement oi said arms.

7. In a top frame adapted to be attached to the body oli' a vehicle, a swinging arm pivoted in said body, means engaging said arm for longitudinal movement thereon, a device for operating said means, a set or extensible cover-holding members in operative engagement of said means and said arms, bracing means connecting said arms with said members, means for holding said bracing means in trussed relation with said n'iembers and said arms and other means for automatically breaking the said trussed relation, during a closing movement of the said top.

8. In a top frame adapted for attachment to the body of a vehicle, a swinging arm pivoted to said body, means engaging .aid arm for longitudinal movement thereon, a device for operating said means, a support ing member in pivotal engagement with said means and said arm adapted to hold a cover thereon, said member including a terminal link pivoted to said arm, an element fixed upon said terminal link spaced from the pivot point of said terminal link with said arm, a second link pivoted to said terminal link, a third link pivoted to said means and to said second link, a guiding member piv oted to said arm, said guiding member havingl a bent guide thereon in sliding engage ment with said element, means for normally holding said guiding member and said terminal link in trussed relation with respect to said arm, and other means on said second link adapted to engage said guiding member during! an angular change of said second link with said terminal link, to break the tr'usscd relation of said terminal. link and said guiding member with said arm, whereby said terminal link is permitted to turn about its pivot point with said arm, during an angular movement of said links, the trussed relation ot' said terminal link and said guiding member with said arm atilcrdinp; a pivotal relation whereby said second link turns about a pivot point fixed and spaced with relation to said arm, to cause said member to sweep through a comparatively low path with respect to said body, in the forward part of its cycle of motion.

EDWARD L. KUNZ.

Witnesses:

FRED DoMnrER, GEORGE H. Wann. 

